Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GABORONE873
2009-10-30 11:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:
BOTSWANA: RESPONSE TO THIRD COMMITTEE DEMARCHE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHOR #0873 3031149 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 301149Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6154 INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0351 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0437
UNCLAS GABORONE 000873
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/HR AND DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA UNGA BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: RESPONSE TO THIRD COMMITTEE DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 109397
UNCLAS GABORONE 000873
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/HR AND DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA UNGA BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: RESPONSE TO THIRD COMMITTEE DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 109397
1. Pol/Econ Chief met October 29 with Ms. Punkie Molefe, the
Director for Multilateral Affairs at the Botswana MFA, to
discuss Botswana's position on upcoming UNGA Third Committee
matters. Emboff noted that the GOB and USG seemed to share
common views in 2008 on UNGA human rights issues, and that
the USG appreciated the GOB's 2008 "yes" votes on resolutions
on Iran, DPRK, and Burma. When asked whether the USG can
count on similar support from the GOB in 2009, Molefe
replied that while the GOB agrees with the African consensus
position that country-specific resolutions "should be
avoided," there are some cases in which they are clearly
warranted. She explained that the problems in Iran or DPRK,
for example, clearly need to be addresed by the General
Assembly. Ms. Molefe said that she expects Botswana to vote
in favor of the resolutions on Iran, DPRK, and Burma again
this year, but she noted that the GOB will not make a firm
decision until they have reviewed the final text of each
resolution.
NOLAN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/HR AND DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA UNGA BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: RESPONSE TO THIRD COMMITTEE DEMARCHE
REF: STATE 109397
1. Pol/Econ Chief met October 29 with Ms. Punkie Molefe, the
Director for Multilateral Affairs at the Botswana MFA, to
discuss Botswana's position on upcoming UNGA Third Committee
matters. Emboff noted that the GOB and USG seemed to share
common views in 2008 on UNGA human rights issues, and that
the USG appreciated the GOB's 2008 "yes" votes on resolutions
on Iran, DPRK, and Burma. When asked whether the USG can
count on similar support from the GOB in 2009, Molefe
replied that while the GOB agrees with the African consensus
position that country-specific resolutions "should be
avoided," there are some cases in which they are clearly
warranted. She explained that the problems in Iran or DPRK,
for example, clearly need to be addresed by the General
Assembly. Ms. Molefe said that she expects Botswana to vote
in favor of the resolutions on Iran, DPRK, and Burma again
this year, but she noted that the GOB will not make a firm
decision until they have reviewed the final text of each
resolution.
NOLAN